Summer Gelman's two years at Cal Lutheran have gone by in a flash. Her opponents are glad they did.
A transfer from Cuesta College in spring 2024, the Agoura Hills native hit the dirt running and never looked back. After leading the women's cross country team to its best SCIAC Championships finish in over a decade, the sports communication major has a real shot at qualifying as an All-American this weekend and earning a spot in the NCAA DIII Championships.
Not since Regal distance-running legend Melissa Skiba in 2012 has Cal Lu sent a representative to the country's top meet.
"Regardless of how she finishes, this season has been an incredible success," head coach Brett Halvaks said. "She's one of the most competitive athletes I've ever coached."
Here are some questions to get to know the fleetest Regal afoot:
Q: What person (coach, teammates, friend, professor) most helped you adjust to life at Cal Lutheran when you arrived as a transfer?
A: Coach Brett. He has supported my running journey, along with my studies, and adjustment to a new school since the minute I stepped onto this campus. Brett has given me unwavering support from the moment I met him and has helped me chase down every goal I aspire/aspired to achieve.
Q: When did you first realize you could run farther and faster than most people?
A: It wasn't until I began at Cal Lutheran, where I was placed into some extremely competitive race environments. The competition brought out a side of me that excels through challenges, and that has taken me places I never thought I would go.
Q: Favorite place to train
A: Hands down Broad Beach in Malibu. Great for tempos.
Q: Go-to local running store
A: On Track in Simi Valley
Q: Three songs in heaviest rotation on your Spotify playlist
A: "Georgia" by Vance Joy, "Peaches" by In The Valley Below and "River Washed Hair" by Zach Bryan
Q: Favorite distance to compete at and why
A: Although we run the 6K (in cross country), I enjoy the 5K the most. It has enough time to get out hard, maintain a fast pace, and then switch gears to finish.
Q: Favorite post-race meal
A: Lox and cream cheese bagel sandwich and a coffee from East Coast Bagels
Q: Best thing about attending college so close to home? Worst thing?
A: Having my family at all of my races and getting to go home on the weekends is great. The worst thing is that being close to home can make it harder to fully step into independence, but it's also taught me how to balance both worlds.
Q: Your proudest accomplishment last season was …
A: Placing 20th at the NCAA Division III West Region Cross Country Championships in Oregon
Q: Correct pronunciation: A-GORE-A Hills or A-GUR-A Hills?
A: Locals know it's A-GORE-A.
Q: Friends say your celebrity doppelganger is …
A: Alexis Bledel
Q: Favorite road race (marathon, half, 5K) you've ever done
A: The local Five07 Turkey Day Dash!
Q: Best place for pizza in the Conejo Valley
A: Toppers
Q: If you could see one artist live in concert this year, who would it be?
A: The Lumineers
Q: Do your friends/teammates have a nickname for you? What is it?
A: Summy, Sum Sum, or Sum.
Q: What app on your phone do you spend waaaaay too much time on?
A: TikTok
Q: What's your favorite season?
A: Fall into winter
Q: What's your pre-race ritual or superstition?
A: Never get on the line with more than 10 minutes before the gun goes off
Q: Dream job post graduation is …
A: I don't know the exact title yet, but I want to do work that helps people, something where I can use what I've learned through sports and life to make things a little easier or better for others.
